After strong start, Romania's Popovici eyes even better finish in El Nido

EL NIDO, Palawan -- Romanian cliff diver Constantin Popovici has reason to be confident heading into the final two rounds of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Palawan, thanks to consistent performances in the first two days of the competition.

Popovici, a former Olympian and the 2023 cliff diving world champion, has compiled 171.50 points so far after dives at the Lagen Island on Friday and the Small Lagoon on Saturday.

"Definitely, it was a good boost after these two rounds. I'm happy to train tonight in the Big Lagoon, and tomorrow, be fresh for the last two rounds," said the 36-year-old veteran.

He is facing a stiff challenge from Mexico's Jonathan Paredes, a wild card who has put together two strong dives to take second place with 164.85 points heading into the final day. Meanwhile, veteran Oleksiy Prygorov of Ukraine completed the best dive of the day on Saturday to move into contention, with 164.40 points for third place.

Nonetheless, Popovici believes he can take the opening leg and has some tricks up his sleeve to fend off his competitors.

"So far, we had two easy rounds. Tomorrow is the big day with the big dive, so yeah, everybody's putting their focus there," he said.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the El Nido stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will take place at the Big Lagoon on Sunday.